To: All Who are Registered for the 2008 Leatherman’s Loop
The snow is melted… There is mud on the trails… The Cross River is flowing swiftly… Spring is here… It must be time for the Leatherman’s Loop!
Welcome to the 22nd running of the Leatherman’s Loop Trail Race on Sunday, April 27th, 2008!
The 500 year old Meadow Oak has come down but artist Dan Lehmeier has been working on transforming the branches, large and small, into works of art. The remains retain the power and beauty of the living tree transformed.
The forested trails of the Leatherman’s Loop have some large downed trees of their own. A few short detours are needed but the ways evolve into their new shapes with the passing of each set of footprints.
Your new race directors have been working tirelessly since last year to set up this event. With the guidance of Race Director Emeritus Tony Godino, we are nearly ready to go for this year’s Loop!
We have taken time to put together some important instructions regarding this year’s race. Registration is at a record level so we will need to work together to ensure that loop day goes smoothly. The entire park staff and our volunteers will all be working to make this event memorable for each of you.
1) ARRIVE EARLY! Please plan to arrive at the park before 8:30. Car pool if you can! Traffic backs up considerably at the park entrance as race time approaches. Please be patient. The regular $8 parking fee is now part of the loop entry fee so entry should go more quickly. However, this is the first year we are doing it this way so it would still be wise to arrive early to make sure you are all set by race start time (9am).
2) PARK TIGHT, DRIVE SLOWLY and CAREFULLY! Watch the volunteers who are directing the parking. Did we say car pool? Remember, April is Earth Month! John Jay High School and Middle School are just 3 minutes from the entrance to the Rez (up 121 north) and should have plenty of spots open Sunday morning! There is also the Katonah Train Station lot (free on weekends) just off 684 Exit 6 (Route 35). Plan ahead!
3) BRING A FULL CHANGE OF CLOTHING! You will get wet and you will get muddy. Where and how you change is up to you. Towels are a must.
4) LISTEN ATTENTIVELY TO PRE LOOP ANNOUNCEMENTS! We only get to see you guys once a year and need about 5 minutes before the start. New Race Director Mike Paletta will have important information about the course and safety. Danny Martin will give a brief poem/blessing to set the tone. Also, you will be instructed about the hazards related to the stream crossings. Hidden boulders and slippery ledges lurk under the surface of the water. Slow down and DON’T DIVE into the water under any circumstances.
5) LISTEN FOR THE GUN! Chief Marchiano will fire the gun to start the loop.
6) WATCH FOR THE LEATHERMAN! Remember that this event celebrates the life of the Leatherman. Learn his story and by all means make some noise if he is out and about on Sunday.
7) STAY ON COURSE IF YOU CAN’T CONTINUE! There will be four “sweeps” running the course following the slower runners. If for any reason you can’t continue, wait for them to get to you to assess your needs. The park is nearly 5,000 acres so don’t leave the course unless you know exactly where you are going.
8) THERE IS NO SAME DAY REGISTRATION! We simply do not have room for any more registrations. Please understand the position we are put in when we have to refuse someone entry. Thanks for your understanding. If someone is interested in next year’s loop, there is a form at the website to submit name and email address. If you are signed up for this year’s Loop you are already on the list!
9) RESULTS: Printed lists of finishers with time and place will be available soon after the finish. Results will also be posted soon afterwards on the website. Check it out at www.leathermansloop.org.
10) THANK A VOLUNTEER! A tremendous amount of voluteer effort goes into making the Loop a special event each year. T-shirt designers, registration volunteers, pie buyers, course setters, bib stickers, box lifters, water servers, food preparers, coffee brewers, parking coordinators, and the clean-up crew — not to mention the Pound Ridge and Lewisboro Police and the fantastic members of the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps!
This event is truly a group effort and tribute to the spirit of the community. We have received many notes of support and encouragement and we read every one. We are grateful that we have such a wonderful group of Loop enthusiasts and are thankful that we have the thousands of acres of parkland at the Rez to enjoy! Remember, leave only (muddy) footprints, take only pictures!
Expect more news as the event nears…. See you in 2 weeks!
Good luck and have fun,
Mike, Tony, Kate, and Rob
Map to the Reservation is here: https://leathermansloop.org/old/Map.html
Directions are here: https://leathermansloop.org/old/ward_directions.html